New Jersey State Trooper Sean Cullen died March 8 from severe head injuries after he was struck by a passing car. (New Jersey State Police via AP)
A large crowd attended a candlelight vigil Thursday night for a New Jersey trooper killed after he responded to the scene of a highway car fire.
Sean Cullen, 31, was struck by a car while on the scene of the accident on I-295 in West Deptford Monday. He died of his injuries hours later.
Up to 500 people attended the vigil in Burlington County, including a large number of police officers who came from across South Jersey to salute their fallen comrade, Fox 29 News Philadelphia reported.
Cullen had been a trooper two years ago, fulfilling a life-long dream, the station reported. The trooper also was a member of two N.J. township police departments.
Speakers at the vigil included Cullen's sister.
Fox 29 quoted Jenn Kelleher as saying that as a boy her brother thought he could fly and that he was an invincible super hero.
“It was impossible for him to gain those wings when he was here on earth,” she said. “We're so happy that now he's watching over us. He gained super hero strength.”
Cullen was born in Ireland, the Burlington County Times reported. He left Dublin with his family for the U.S. when he was 3. He grew up in Cinnaminson, N.J.
He was engaged to be married and had a 9-month-old son. Survivors include his parents, two brothers and his sister.
A funeral will be held Monday at St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church in Cinnaminson.
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